Vietnam proactively controls animal epidemics

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment on June 16 in Hanoi held a conference to review national programs and plans for the prevention and control of avian influenza (AI), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and African swine fever (ASF).

According to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam has one of the largest livestock populations in the world, with over 570 million poultry, 30 million pigs, and 12 million grazing livestock, contributing more than 26% of the agricultural sector’s value. However, the livestock industry continues to face serious challenges from dangerous diseases, particularly AI, FMD, and ASF.

Small-scale farming still accounts for a large proportion of the sector. Many facilities have not ensured biosecurity, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, causing economic losses, affecting farmers’ incomes, food safety, and public health.

Small-scale livestock farming accounts for a large proportion but has yet to meet biosecurity standards. Photo: Tạp chí Kinh tế và Dự báo.

To address these challenges, the government has issued national plans and programs for disease prevention and control for the 2019-2025 period. Based on these frameworks, localities have implemented measures synchronously and achieved positive results, effectively controlling epidemics and ensuring a stable food supply for both domestic consumption and export.

At the conference, delegates shared experiences, effective disease prevention models, and suggestions for the 2026-2030 national plan, aiming to develop a modern, sustainable livestock sector.

Epidemic situation since early 2025

Since the beginning of 2025, dangerous diseases have continued to be well controlled:

• ASF: 251 outbreaks occurred in 35 provinces and cities, with 9,797 pigs infected and 10,000 pigs dead or culled. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of affected provinces decreased by 14.63%, outbreaks fell by 61.79%, and losses were reduced by 81.27%.
  
• AI: 9 outbreaks occurred in 6 provinces, with 21,337 birds infected and 25,318 birds dead or culled. The number of affected provinces decreased by 14.28%, but losses doubled.
  
• FMD: 10 outbreaks occurred in 7 provinces, with 235 animals infected and 34 animals dead or culled. Outbreaks decreased by over 77%, and the number of infected animals fell by 83%.
  
• Lumpy skin disease: 37 outbreaks occurred in 7 provinces, with 88 animals infected and 29 animals dead or culled.
  
• Rabies: 111 outbreaks occurred in 27 provinces, with 121 animals infected and 157 animals dead or culled.
  

Notably, there have been no outbreaks of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (blue ear disease) reported this year. Other common diseases have also been detected and handled promptly, preventing large-scale outbreaks.